Pakistan
Birmingham presents a warm welcome to students from Pakistan. Birmingham is Europe's youngest city and has a proud reputation as one of the continent's most diverse cities. Around 13 per cent of Birmingham's population is of Pakistani origin.
Around 45 students from Pakistan choose Birmingham City University (BCU) each year. Popular programmes include ACCA, MBA International and Engineering. If you would like to speak to a current Pakistani student, please get in touch with the Regional Manager.
You can enjoy our city's history, culture, and good quality food – the unmissable Tipu Sultan and Sher Khan are the best restaurants offering Asian cuisine, fabric and fashion; you'll find fantastic restaurants, Asian jewellers, traditional dress-makers and delicious sweet shops.
Did you know Birmingham is home to the world-famous Edgbaston cricket ground and regularly hosts England vs Pakistan cricket matches? Our local music and event venues also host fantastic events, including the BritAsia TV World Music Awards at the Barclaycard Arena.
If you have any questions about studying at BCU, please get in touch with Hira Sheikh, BCU's International Regional Manager.
Important note for BEng Engineering applicants
Due to recent changes, The Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) no longer recognises standalone three-year BEng Engineering Degrees from the UK. The following BCU programmes are now recognised by the PEC:
- Three years of Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) with Master of Engineering (MEng) - Available at BCU as one programme.
- Three years of Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) with one year of Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering - Available at BCU as individual programmes.
For further information, please get in touch with us or see the Pakistan Engineering Council website.
Undergraduate
We are happy to consider HSSC/Intermediate (minimum 60% overall including Maths at 60%) plus one-year (new scheme) or two-year (old scheme) BCom/BSc/BA with minimum 50% / Division II.
Postgraduate
We need a minimum of four years of higher education to be considered for a master’s programme. This could be a combination of:
- Two years Bachelor's Degree plus a two year Master's degree with an average of 55% or GPA of 2.3 or Grade C+,
- Four years Bachelor's degree with an average of 55% or GPA 2.3 or Grade C+, or,
- Three years Bachelor's degree plus one year's master's with an average of 55% or GPA 2.3 or Grade C+.
PLEASE NOTE: If you were graded using percentages throughout your transcript, we will use your final percentage for the assessment. If you were graded using GPA throughout your transcript, we will use your final CGPA for the assessment (not the Aggregate Weighted Percentage). If you were graded using a Letter Grade throughout your transcript, we will use your final Letter Grade for the assessment. Where you were graded using a combination of the above methods throughout your transcript, we will take into consideration all grades.
Please note that some courses may require a higher score and a subject-specific previous qualification to qualify for entry, for example, Law, Computing, Social Sciences, Engineering, etc. Please check the website for this information.
LLM: We are happy to consider a non-LLB background for select LLM programmes.
We offer two courses accepting lower CGPAs. They are:
- International MBA (18 months in duration)
- MSc Management and International Business (15 months in duration)
The minimum average CGPA for these two courses would be 2.3 minimum or 48%.
Special requirements
Art and Design
All undergraduate Art and Design courses require a good portfolio of artwork. Some postgraduate courses also require a portfolio, and others require a proposal of studies, while some programmes require both a portfolio and a proposal of studies. Please check the faculty website for specific requirements.
Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment (CEBE)
All undergraduate courses in the CEBE faculty require Mathematics at O Level. However, for the Engineering suite and BEng Telecommunication and Networks, Mathematics is required at AS Level minimum Grade C or the equivalent.
Business School
All Business School undergraduate 'Year One' courses require a Mathematics minimum of Grade C at O Level or the equivalent.
Every year we provide a number of scholarships and bursaries recognising the talents of our international students, which can help cover part of your tuition fees.
Student stories: Salman Abdullah
IET Undergraduate Grant Winner 2016
Salman was awarded a prestigious Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Undergraduate Grant in the final year of his BEng degree, in recognition of his outstanding performance on the course.
Salman, who is from Pakistan, was attracted to Birmingham City University as he knew that many graduates from the University go on to work for high quality companies such as Rolls-Royce. He also expected to feel at home in the city as he knew that Birmingham has a large Asian population.
Salman has taken a full part in university life. He became a course representative, and won first prize in the CISCO Hackathon in June 2016.
As part of his studies, Salman undertook a placement at the University, teaching Foundation and Year One students on the Electronic Engineering course, as well as working on several University projects. He said of the experience: “I would highly recommend doing a placement year. It gives you a really good edge and practical experience of work”.
The award has boosted Salman’s confidence and motivated him to go even further. He is on course to achieve a First Class degree, and his tutors are encouraging him to stay on and undertake an MEng qualification after completing his BEng.
There are no upcoming visits from BCU to your country planned at this moment.
Student views
What our students say...
“Studying at the University was a great experience for me. Coming to the UK from Pakistan was a challenge in itself but added challenges included understanding the Birmingham accent and supporting my studies. From day one, I was given lots of support - and I really polished my language skills. Meeting people from different cultures and studying international business gave me an understanding of other countries and the way they work, which has really helped my career.
"There were lots of opportunities to speak up, from debates to presentations, and that built up my confidence. The library was great; everything was available in a digital format which saved a lot of time and helped with my research. Now, I run my own banking consultancy, Sigma Business Consultancy (www.sigma-bc.com) in London. I currently work with international banks and the company is doing very well. I put my success down to my experiences at University and graduating with a First Class degree. It transformed me into a confident, energetic and optimistic person and I have never looked back.”
Aamar Ahmed, MSc Management and International Business
Country contact
Do you have a question?
Hira Sheikh
Regional Manager for Pakistan
Email: hira.sheikh@bcu.ac.uk
Student views
What our students say...
"I had already planned my career in Data Networks and Security during my graduation. I had searched a dozen of universities and their MSc programmes in the UK but I found the MSc. The Data Networks and Security course at Birmingham City University was most relevant to my career objectives.
"I wanted to pursue my career in Cisco Technologies and Birmingham City University is the Cisco Study Partner with the Government College University Faisalabad in Pakistan, where I obtained my BSc in Computer Sciences. The course outline was excellent and well designed in order to meet the requirements of the industry. The course met my expectations and meets the market standard very well. Every module that we studied is highly demanded in the industry.”
Waseem Aslam Awan, MSc Data Networks and Security